Do you think FRWL & OHMSS are as good as the books they're based on?

JimmyBond0129

You'd have to tell me because I haven't read From Russia with Love or On Her Majesty's Secret Service yet.

j.blades

not as good, but still excellent movies, probably two of the best.

7289

Reading Fleming establishes a direct connection between his brain and yours. That expierence which is enhanced by your own imagination is the best way to enjoy Bond.

The films, no matter how good they are, will always be a compromised "group" version of the novels - that is of course when they bother to attempt to translate the books into film. That said FRWL and OHMSS are two of the best attempts to bring the novels to the screen.

Napoleon Plural

FRWL the film is a lighthearted version of the book, exemplifed by the ending: dark and downbeat in the book, light and frivolrous in the movie. Both are very good but not quite aiming in the same direction.

In contrast, imo the book of OHMSS is more fun than the film, more of a pulpy read while the film aims to be more high quality with its casting, soundtrack and photography.

Hardyboy

Apples and oranges. They're great books and great movies, but both media are trying to do different things. That they succeed on their own terms and stand as works of art says a great deal.

hegottheboot

The books and films are worlds apart.
However, FRWL actually improves on the book's story by replacing SMERSH with SPECTRE and makes it a great film.
OHMSS is a great film adaptation, but once again the books are in a different universe.

chrisno1

"Are they as good as..."
difficult to judge across media
however, I would say both film adaptations stay remarkably close to the novels (which is a good thing) and also add a little cinematic savoir faire to the proceedings.

FRWL as a novel is probably Fleming's best work, as such the movie is a tad frivolous, but it captures the atmosphere tremendously well, up to the point Bond disembarks from the Orient Express; that's where the movie 007 takes over. The latter cinematic antics, while very good, don't sit easily with the grim Cold War beginnings.

OHMSS is a very reflective novel and while at times it is an exceptional piece of writing, it suffers from a lack of action (tho' it has plenty of suspense) The movie improves on this IMO by offering extended ski / car / fight scenes which Fleming includes, but doesn't quite exploit to their full potential. The beauty of OHMSS the movie, is that these marvellous action scenes do not detract from the love story / biological warfare plot; in fact the romance and the sense of urgency are heightened in the film and rather down played in the novel.

FRWL - 1
OHMSS + 1